Busy Pal-waukee Airport Soars Into The Public Domain

April 24, 1985|By Thomas Graf.

Priester`s father, George, 77, bought the airport in 1943. The elder Priester, who is still involved in day-to-day airport operations, foresaw the growth of private aviation and built up Pal-Waukee to service that growth. The growth continues and, as Charley Priester puts it, will have to be serviced by a public Pal-Waukee.

``Sure I have mixed emotions about the sale,`` Priester said. ``But in the end, aviation will benefit.``

The Priesters are also expected to benefit. In addition to the estimated millions they will reap from the sale, the Priesters will have a very good chance of being named airport managers and being paid for providing services they now do for themselves. Even if they are not named managers, Priester Aviation will remain the main user of the airport because only the land is being bought by the municipalities. The Priesters will still hold title to the airport buildings.

When asked about the Grandts and the other residents scheduled to be relocated, Priester said he is sympathetic to their plight but believes they are not getting a raw deal.

``You`ve got to remember that the airport was here before the homes were,`` Priester said. ``They (homeowners) will not be able to get a better offer if they put their homes on the market.``